tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2206496214160895172019-05-06T08:29:04.693-04:00Michael Williams StoryCoachingcreating stories that change your worldmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-37815711348446157552019-02-11T12:30:00.000-05:002019-02-11T12:30:01.499-05:00"Love is in the Air"
Carol Day
This month, I have invited guest blogger Carol Day to contribute her reflections on Valentine's Day. Carol is the founder of the Centre for Creative Vision, based in Newport-on-Tay in Fife, Scotland.
It is Valentine’s time: Love is in the air and the Muse is in town. You can sense her mulling down the malls, slinking through the trees. She rests for a minute in the kitchen of michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-91642951114027163172018-08-03T06:00:00.000-04:002018-08-08T15:38:32.060-04:00Your Soul is Calling: Are You Listening?
Yesterday, a friend told me that she enjoyed my social media posts mostly because they were simply about "being" rather than "doing". It's true in as much as I don't feel I've "done" very much over the past year. Most of my time has been spent "being" -- sitting and watching the birds and squirrels on the front lawn in the mornings, listening to the wind in the trees, going for walks, reading,michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com2Hamilton, ON, Canada43.2557206 -79.87110239999998442.515658099999996 -81.16199589999998 43.9957831 -78.580208899999988tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-89629082089525330202018-07-31T16:30:00.002-04:002018-07-31T16:43:22.433-04:00Two unique storytelling funding opportunities
Here's an interesting funding opportunity for students in the Earth and space sciences.
NASA (National Aeronautical Space Administration) is offering funding for undergraduate and graduate students to create and submit visual stories for presentation on its Hyperwall.
You must be a legal U.S. resident and enrolled in either a 2 or 4-year undergraduate or graduate institution in the United michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-40093460928919254442018-06-21T18:45:00.000-04:002018-07-31T16:06:34.341-04:00My 10 favourite FREE photo download sites
Do you often wish you had a great photo to illustrate a particular idea, theme, or story your writing about? Wouldn't some professional-looking photos spruce up your website? But you don't have the cash to hire a photographer?
And you wouldn't lift photos straight out of Google, would you? Confused about copyright?
Well, you don't have to worry anymore. You can have access to beautiful photosmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-31936351860234513302018-03-19T10:06:00.000-04:002018-03-19T10:06:05.687-04:00Vast online resource for Irish folklore, customs, and superstitions
A new online resource is now available that anyone interested in Irish folklore, customs, and superstitions will be eager to peruse. It can be found at https://www.duchas.ie/en/tpc/cbes.
The National (Irish) Folklore Collection has digitized more than 100,000 pages of material known as the Schools' Collection, collected by more than 100,000 children between the years of 1937 and 1939. Childrenmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-31243469194678831842018-02-23T15:33:00.000-05:002018-02-23T15:33:14.012-05:00Thought for the Week
"We begin in infancy by establishing correspondence ofeyes with eyes." Robert Frost
I've been reading the poet Mary Oliver recently. In her book Winter Hours (1999), she reminds me of the importance of eye to eye connection, quoting a line from another poet, Robert Frost: "We begin in infancy by establishing correspondence of eyes with eyes." I think back to each of the births of my three sonsmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-23846633431944314462017-12-11T17:09:00.000-05:002017-12-11T17:09:36.467-05:00What Story Will You Choose?"Leave yesterday behind and move swiftly into this wonderful new day, knowing that it holds within it only the very best for you, and expect only the very best to come out of it." Eileen Caddy, Opening Doors Within (1986).
Are you the sort of person who expects the best or the worst? When you wake up in the morning do you expect that the day will be a disaster or do you look forward to an michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-42378837790790021092017-12-06T13:00:00.001-05:002017-12-06T13:00:24.721-05:00Ode to FailureFurther to my last blog post, "What Story Will You Choose", I wanted to share this compelling video from writer and artist Tamara Levitt entitled "Ode to Failure".
In it, Tamara shares a personal story of how her preparation for success didn't prepare her for failure. Yet she goes on to show how "failure" has led her to a different story -- a story of transformation and celebration.
Learn michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-67291495166645591892017-10-31T12:55:00.002-04:002017-10-31T12:55:24.590-04:00Remembering storyteller Elsie Moir
Elsie Moir sharing stories
It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Elsie Moir this year. Elsie passed away peacefully on March 24, 2017 after a struggle with cancer. She was 84. Elsie had fought off two previous bouts with the illness but had decided to forgo treatment when it returned a third time in favour of some quality of life in the time she had left. She was surrounded michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-85286218559062917702017-08-04T16:56:00.001-04:002017-10-03T17:54:52.923-04:005 Keys to Unlocking Your Story
Ever wonder why some businesses succeed where others fail? or why your own business isn't taking off the way you'd hoped. You've got a great service or product but you're not attracting the sort of clients you imagined working with? The problem might be your lack of a compelling story.
One of the most important things I've learned from my work with business entrepreneurs, creatives, and michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-73082741890211855192017-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:002017-04-11T17:55:31.000-04:00Could I Be A Storyteller?
Michael Williams, host of The Teller and the Tale
As the host and producer of the Teller and the Tale, my weekly, half-hour storytelling radio programme on Blues and Roots Radio (www.bluesandrootsradio.com), I’ve had the privilege of getting to know a lot of storytellers. In fact, over the past four years I’ve interviewed nearly seventy tellers from Scotland, Canada, the United States, Denmarkmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-70840244738502349172017-01-10T12:00:00.001-05:002017-01-10T12:00:21.958-05:00SISF Ghost Story Competition: A Winter Visitor by Joel PierceStoryteller Michael Williams tells the story of "A Winter Visitor", written by Joel Pierce for the "Ghostly Tales" competition, part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. The performance was held at the National Library of Scotland on 31 October 2016.
michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-87891845049651865162016-12-31T18:58:00.004-05:002016-12-31T18:58:32.309-05:00Happy New Year
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my clients a very Happy New Year. May the stories you share in 2017 nourish friendships, evoke peace, and instil a sense of wonder in others. May the stories you hear remind you that you are cared for and loved and that this world is still, despite its human flaws, still a beautiful place that we must honour and respect.
What's the story you michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-60940348191800759812016-12-29T12:23:00.004-05:002016-12-29T12:34:46.679-05:00Supervision Sessions in the New Year
Do you work therapeutically with children, young people or adults? Are you a teacher or someone who facilitates learning with individuals and/or groups? Or, perhaps you're a solo entrepreneur who could use some support making decisions and developing your work. If you work with others, it's important that you are supported through supervision.
During my career as a coach, I have sought out michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-85050283375449865932016-12-17T14:30:00.001-05:002016-12-29T11:50:28.523-05:002016 SISF Ghost Story Competition: The Tapestry House by Ewan Irvine
Storyteller Michael Williams tells the story of "Tapestry House" at this year's Ghost Tales competition, part of the 2016 Scottish International Storytelling Festival and hosted by the National Library of Scotland. "Tapestry House" was written by Ewan Irvine of Edinburgh.michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-497337961953494372016-11-18T08:20:00.002-05:002016-11-18T08:20:37.320-05:00IDEAS 2016 - Telling Your Brand Story
Story Coach Michael Williams at IDEAS 2016(Lochaber Chamber of Commerce)
IDEAS 2016 celebrates business, education and community throughout Lochaber and is sponsored by the Lochaber Chamber of Commerce in association with West Highland College UHI, the Oban Times, powered by No Fuss Events, and hosted by the Moorings Hotel in Banavie, Scotland.
IDEAS 2016 is a week-long gathering of michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-79490807308330254862016-10-06T10:53:00.000-04:002016-10-06T10:53:06.044-04:00Day 21 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Courtesy pixabay.com
Today we come to the end of the "Attitude for Gratitude" Challenge. Of course, it's not the end of our practice and I hope you will continue on practising acts of kindness and gratitude both for yourself and well as for others.
I want to thank you for practising along with me. Please pass on this challenge to others and share your experiences.
The last thing I do before michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-7901865410242305222016-10-05T10:43:00.000-04:002016-10-05T10:43:04.530-04:00Day 20 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Courtesy pixabay.com
In the coming weeks, both Canada and the U.S. will celebrate Thanksgiving, a tradition going back to the early settlers when they would pay thanks to the bounty of their harvest and the good things the year had brought them.
Looking back on your year, what has the "harvest" brought you? For what are you grateful? What "food" or sustenance or nurturing has benefitted you michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-71149583642929700812016-10-04T10:36:00.000-04:002016-10-04T10:36:11.028-04:00Day 19 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Courtesy pixabay.com
We're getting to the end of our 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge. How has it been going for you? Don't worry if you missed days. You can always come back here to the site and work your way through the challenges at your own pace.
Have you begun to feel a change in your outlook? Do you feel more grateful and appreciative? more positive? Are you beginning to michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-35591573318557409602016-10-03T08:12:00.002-04:002016-10-03T08:12:35.087-04:00Day 18 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Yesterday, a very good friend of mine died. I was fortunate that I arrived the night before and had an opportunity to sit with him for an hour. Although he was not conscious, I assumed he was aware of my presence and talked to him, shared stories of our adventures together, and gave him my love. The following day, as I was getting ready to visit again, his wife called to say he had passed away.michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-12428702364081136522016-09-27T08:20:00.000-04:002016-09-27T08:20:03.807-04:00Day 17 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Gratitude in Nature
The other day I went for a "slow walk" in the woods. Normally, I'm rushing around from one thing to another so slowing down takes me some doing. But it was worth the effort.
I found myself noticing little things like the the patterns of tree branches against the sunlight, the breath of wind over my face, the smell of the earth, pine needles, the fall of leaves in the michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-88639659013776526942016-09-24T16:26:00.002-04:002016-09-24T16:26:32.313-04:00Day 16 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
"Helping Hands" by Samuel King Jr.
What did you do today that earned the appreciation of someone? In other words, what did you do to bring a smile to someone else? How did you lend a helping hand?
In gratitude,
Michaelmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-51117875782516987982016-09-23T00:28:00.002-04:002016-09-23T00:28:42.322-04:00Day 15 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Did you know that people who develop a strong sense of gratitude tend to be happier people? And that happier people tend to live longer?
So, today, what makes you happy? Describe it, photograph it, draw it, dance it. Whatever or whoever makes you happy today, find a way to celebrate and be grateful.
In gratitude,
Michaelmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-22306211589526147242016-09-19T04:54:00.003-04:002016-09-19T04:54:41.966-04:00Day 14 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
If you've been following my "Attitude for Gratitude" challenge over the last couple of weeks, you will have realised I've missed a couple of days here and there. I was going to apologise for that until I read recently that practising gratitude every day can actually risk you becoming immune to the positive effects of the practice. Too much of a good thing can become more like a chore than an michaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220649621416089517.post-88493479823888574622016-09-16T13:04:00.000-04:002016-09-16T13:04:01.480-04:00Day 13 - the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge
Well, we're over half-way through the 21-Day Attitude for Gratitude Challenge. How are you feeling? Has your attention to gratitude, appreciations, and kindness made an impact on you?
The point of a 21-day challenge of this sort is to help develop a habit or attitude that will make a positive difference in your life. One way I've found that helps reinforce my attitude for gratitude is to keepmichaelwilliamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13928547077231030719noreply@blogger.com0